Hi evening allErhow to explain. Does anyone know what happens when you make a film using a home video camera and add music - which then is compressed using the software in the camera or on the internet eg apple software or what have you - and you want to make copies and distribute them?We have run into a kind of merry maze with our film. On t'internet tis OK because - well, anyway - but on DVD's it is subject to rights by the designers. All sorts of software - some quite obsure. Apparently in France it is OK because they just shrug and ignore it. Or something like that.Sorry if this is not clear. I am not sure I really understand. Too technical and well, kind of dull. Just thought I would ask.

If you add music which someone else owns the copyright to and you want to distribute it, either for money or for free, then you need the permission of the copyright owner.

If you plan to distribute over the Internet then you should be especially careful to get the necessary permissions (in writing) because otherwise the entire world and its dog can plainly see you breaking the law.

It is unlikely that the manufacturers of the software that you have used to put your film together will levy any charges.

If you have gone to a media company and are paying them to put the DVD together for you, you only pay them for their work. They have no rights in your film (unless you assign those rights to them in return for them paying you a royalty or a fee).

You might be asking other and/or different questions. Post 'em here and I and others will try to answer them.

ThanksWe have got in touch with the music side of things and got permission etc. That is not a problem.It is the something to do with making copies of our film using memory sticks on a laptop or other home computer. If we make and distribute the copies of the film to others we have to have permissions and we have tried to contact such companies and they have sent confusing replies. For example (ish) if you use and MP3 file someone somewhere has a licence and owns the software for this. And the compression software is on licence. The film has been made by a family member using home equipment and an Apple computer.Are you saying that if we get a media company to copy the film they can deal with the software issues?Thanks again. Twould be better if I knew what the problem really was but I am not that sure what I am asking.Ooo erit is Windows XP software and Quicktime software on a PC and the visual decoding software .... etc etcother uses specifically licensed by MPEG LA LLC.MPEG-4 Visual standard.You know, all that stuff that you click "I agree" boxes on your computer without reading what it says.

oopsorganist wrote:Are you saying that if we get a media company to copy the film they can deal with the software issues?

No, I am not saying that. But if a company publishes your film, I would expect them to deal with any licences.Beyond that, I know nothing about MPEG-4 licensing. I did find this, but I expect you've seen that already.